Up First from NPR

The U.S. unleashed a second straight night of strikes on Iran with President Trump saying Iran is taking too long to negotiate, as Iran fires back at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan and Trump reveals U.S. efforts to help oil tankers slip past the Iranian blockade. 
Inflation jumped to its highest level in more than three years last month, largely driven by soaring gas prices since the war with Iran began, leaving many families like Emily Inlow in Kentucky struggling as wages fail to keep pace with rising costs.
And the 2026 World Cup kicks off today in Mexico City, the world’s biggest sporting event already shadowed by protests, geopolitical tensions, and disputes over which teams and fans can even enter the United States.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Pallavi Gogoi, Tara Neill, Mohamad El-Bardicy and John Stolnis.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our deputy Executive Producer is Kelley Dickens.

(0:00) Introduction
(02:23) Escalating Attacks Between US & Iran
(06:12) Inflation Hits Three-Year High
(10:04) World Cup Opens

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Iran launched attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan overnight after the U.S. struck Iranian targets in retaliation for an Iranian attack that downed a U.S. helicopter, raising fears of an escalation spiral that could derail any deal.
Primary results are in from Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina, with Maine's high-stakes Senate matchup now set between Democrat Graham Platner and Republican Susan Collins, and Trump's endorsed candidate for South Carolina governor headed to a runoff.
And Congress approved 70 billion dollars in immigration enforcement funding that will carry ICE and Border Patrol through the rest of President Trump's term, with fewer oversight requirements than normal spending bills.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Megan Pratz, Jason Breslow, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Taylor Haney.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from David Greenburg. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Supervising Producer is Michael Lipkin.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) US & Iran Trade Retaliatory Strikes
(05:47) Primary Results In Four States
(09:32) ICE Funding Bill

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Israel and Iran both pulled back after trading missile fire at the urging of President Trump, but each side is setting conditions that could quickly reignite the fighting and derail U.S. efforts towards a deal with Iran.
It's primary day in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina, with Maine Democrats picking a candidate to challenge longtime Senator Susan Collins in a race critical to control of the Senate and South Carolina offering another test of President Trump's endorsement power.
And California is still counting votes almost a week after election day, drawing fraud claims without evidence from President Trump in what voting experts warn could be a preview of how he responds to the midterms.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Megan Pratz, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
And our Supervising Senior Producer is Vince Pearson.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:59) Israel And Iran Pull Back
(05:47) Primaries In Four States
(09:27) Trump's Election Fraud Claims

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NPR Privacy Policy

Israel and Iran trade direct strikes following an Israeli attack on Beirut's southern suburbs that defied a U.S. request to stand down, further complicating U.S. efforts to reach a deal with Iran.
President Trump abruptly walked out of an interview on Meet the Press after being pressed on his anti-weaponization fund and his repeated false claims that the 2020 election and last week's California primaries were rigged. 
And the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading at an unprecedented pace, with Africa's CDC warning it could rival the worst outbreak on record.

Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.

Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Tina Kraja, Dana Farrington, Miguel Macias, Mohamad ElBardicy, and John Stolnis.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven . Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:57) Israel-Iran-Lebanon Escalation
(05:25) Trump Walks Out Of Interview
(09:04) Ebola Outbreak In DRC

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The World Cup is back in North America for the first time in over 30 years. It’s the most popular sporting event on the globe and with 16 additional teams competing this year, it will be the biggest World Cup to date. But in Trump’s America, visa issues and geopolitical tensions are creating additional challenges for the teams and the fans. 
Today on The Sunday Story, we bring two of NPR’s biggest soccer nerds onto the show to talk about the competition, the entertainment, and the cultural significance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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NPR Privacy Policy